FBI joins investigation into Lowville Academy swatting report

Lowville police and the Lewis County Sheriff's Office are working with the FBI to trace a false report that prompted a lockdown and early dismissal at Lowville Academy & Central School on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Sheriff Michael Carpinelli called the incident swatting, and officials said the school was searched twice with no threat found.

Carpinelli said the report falsely claimed that someone had entered the school with a long gun and was threatening to shoot people. Lowville Police Chief Daryl Ortlieb said the report placed the alleged armed person in a school bathroom. About 1,300 students were evacuated as a precaution.

Sheriff's deputies, Lowville village police and State Police responded. At 1:20 p.m., students were directed to the bus garage to take buses home or be picked up by parents. The county undersheriff went to the school to answer parents' questions. Students were allowed to return for about an hour later Thursday to collect belongings they had left behind.

Superintendent Rebecca Dunckel said classes would be held Friday, Oct. 23, with counselors available for students who need support. Parents should follow official district updates and, under the district's early-dismissal policy, avoid calling the school. The district's main line is (315) 376-9000.

The Lowville incident came the same day as a separate false shots-fired report at Indian Lake Central School in Hamilton County. State Police and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office responded at about 11:05 a.m.; State Police said the school was secured and searched, no shots were fired and the incident was a swatting hoax. Indian Lake officials began reunification procedures and notified parents.

Authorities have not said the two reports were connected or named a suspect. Federal officials have said school swatting threats can violate federal law, while emphasizing that each report must be treated as a potential safety threat until checked. Gov. Kathy Hochul said more than 10 New York school districts, including North Country districts, received swatting threats in October 2023.

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office said additional information about the Lowville response would follow. State Police said more information about the Indian Lake incident would be released as it becomes available. Indian Lake Central School is at 6345 NY-30 in Indian Lake.